Rotatable tool holder for vehicles

ABSTRACT

A vehicle tool rack for storing and accessing various individual equipment elements carried aboard a vehicle comprises a base and a turntable rotatably carried on the base such that the turntable is rotatable relative to the base. A plurality of tool receptacles are carried aboard the turntable, whereby the turntable is adapted to simultaneously receive a plurality of individual equipment elements. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced base magnets are fixedly carried by the base and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced turntable magnets are fixedly carried by the turntable. The base magnets and the turntable magnets remain spaced from one another. The turntable has a plurality of distinct stable rotational positions relative to the base wherein the turntable magnets interact with the base magnets to resist rotation out of the distinct stable rotational positions.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a tool holder for vehicles,specifically a rotatable tool holder for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Emergency vehicles such as fire engines carry an array of tools, andemergency situations require quick access to such tools. For example, inan emergency situation, where access to rescue tools (e.g. the Jaws ofLife® hydraulically powered rescue tools offered by Hurst Jaws of Life,Inc., among others) seconds may make the difference between life anddeath for an accident victim. Emergency tools are commonly held onrotatable tool holders in specialized compartments on emergencyvehicles, with a releasable mechanical lock being used to inhibitrotation of a turntable of the tool holder while the vehicle is inmotion. The mechanical lock is typically biased into a lockingconfiguration, and a user would hold the mechanical lock in an unlockedconfiguration against the bias while rotating the turntable to accessthe desired tool. Releasing the lock adds precious seconds to the timerequired to access an inwardly rotated tool, and there is a risk ofover-rotation of the turntable placing the sought-after tool out ofreach again, adding still more time to the process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a vehicle tool rack for storing and accessing variousindividual equipment elements carried aboard a vehicle is provided. Thevehicle tool rack comprises a base and a turntable rotatably carried onthe base, the turntable being rotatable relative to the base. Aplurality of tool receptacles are carried aboard the turntable, wherebythe turntable is adapted to simultaneously receive a plurality ofindividual equipment elements. A plurality of circumferentially-spacedbase magnets are fixedly carried by the base and a plurality ofcircumferentially-spaced turntable magnets are fixedly carried by theturntable. The base magnets and the turntable magnets remain spaced fromone another. The turntable has a plurality of distinct stable rotationalpositions relative to the base wherein the turntable magnets interactwith the base magnets to resist rotation of the turntable relative tothe base out of the distinct stable rotational positions.

In some embodiments, in each of the plurality of distinct stablerotational positions of the turntable relative to the base, theturntable magnets are in registration with the base magnets and theturntable magnets are in polar opposition to the base magnets.

The vehicle tool rack may further comprise a weight driven mechanismacting between the base and the turntable for reducing the distancebetween the base magnets and the turntable magnets as equipment weightincreases. In some embodiments, the weight driven mechanism comprises atleast one compression spring.

In some embodiments, the base magnets and the turntable magnets arelocated in registration with respective ones of the tool receptacles.

In some embodiments, the tool receptacles comprise a releasable toolrestraint.

In another aspect, a method of carrying tools on a vehicle tool rack isdescribed. The method comprises carrying a plurality of tools on aturntable, the turntable being rotatably carried by a base so as to berotatable relative to the base, and, absent an external user-appliedtorque above a threshold, maintaining the turntable in one of aplurality of distinct stable rotational positions relative to the baseby interaction of magnetic force between base magnets fixedly carried bythe base and turntable magnets fixedly carried by the turntable.

The method may further comprising decreasing a vertical distance betweenthe turntable magnets and the base magnets as a weight of the toolsincreases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent fromthe following description in which reference is made to the appendeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative vehicle tool rackaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure, shown without toolreceptacles for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 1taken along line FIG. 3 -FIG. 3 in FIG. 1 with springs thereof in acompressed position under a relatively heavier load;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 1taken along line FIG. 3 -FIG. 3 in FIG. 1 with springs thereof in anexpanded position under a relatively lighter load;

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 1 withmagnets thereof in a first radial position;

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 1 with themagnets thereof in a second radial position;

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 1 with themagnets thereof in a third radial position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 1taken along line FIG. 6 -FIG. 6 in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 shows a top perspective view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 1with illustrative tool receptacles; and

FIG. 8 shows a top perspective view of the vehicle tool rack of FIG. 7having illustrative equipment elements carried by the illustrative toolreceptacles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is made to the figures throughout. In one aspect of thecurrent disclosure, a vehicle tool rack 100 is provided for storing andaccessing various individual equipment elements carried aboard avehicle. The tool rack 100 comprises a base 102, a turntable 104, and aplurality of tool receptacles carried aboard the turntable 104. FIGS. 1to 6 show the tool rack 100 without the tool receptacles 106, 108, tofacilitate understanding of operation of the tool rack 100; illustrativetool receptacles 106, 108 are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 . By way of thetool receptacles 106, 108, the turntable 104 is adapted tosimultaneously receive a plurality of individual equipment elements 110,as shown in FIG. 8 .

The turntable 104 is rotatably carried on the base 102 such that theturntable 104 is rotatable relative to the base 102, and the toolreceptacles 106, 108 rotate with the turntable 104. These equipmentelements could be, for example, forceful-entry tools, nozzles, hydrantconnection adaptors, EMS equipment or the like for emergency rescueoperations, and may include, without limitation, any tools found, forexample, in fire engines. The terms “tool” and “equipment element” areused synonymously herein. The tool receptacles 106, 108 as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 represent merely one possible configuration of toolreceptacles shown for purposes of illustration and without implying anylimitation, a wide array of different configurations for toolreceptacles is contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 , theturntable 104 includes a platter 112 and an upstanding support column114 extending from the platter 112, and as shown in FIG. 7 the toolreceptacles 106, 108 comprise lower tool receptacles 106 disposed on theplatter 112 and upper tool receptacles disposed on the support column114.

Reference is now made specifically to FIGS. 3A and 3B. In theillustrated embodiment, the base 102 comprises a lower base layer 120 of6000 series aluminum and an annular upper base layer 122 of ⅛ inchstainless steel; the lower base layer 120 and the upper base layer 122are secured to one another by bolts 124. These materials and fastenersare merely illustrative and no limitation is implied. FIG. 5 shows abottom plan view of the base 102, specifically the lower base layer 120.Returning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the platter 112 comprises a lower platterlayer 126 of polypropylene, preferably ultra-high molecular weight(UHMW) polypropylene, and an upper platter layer 128 of aluminum. Thelower platter layer 126 and the upper platter layer 128 are secured toone another by plywood T-nuts 130 received in respective bores in thelower platter layer 126 and screws or bolts 132 passing throughcorrespondingly positioned bores in the upper platter layer 128. Again,these materials and fasteners are merely illustrative and no limitationis implied. The support column 114 is formed from aluminum or anothersuitable material and is supported on the upper platter layer 128 by anangle bracket assembly 134 secured to the support column 114 and theupper platter layer 128.

As noted above, the turntable 104 is rotatably carried on the base 102.In the illustrated embodiment, an axle 136 is welded at its lower end toa support plate 138 of ¼ inch steel, which is secured to the lower baselayer 120 by bolts 140. The axle 136 is rotatably journalled in acollared bronze bushing 142 which is slip fit on the axle 136; thebushing 142 has a clearance fit into a central aperture in the platter112. The bushing 142, and hence the turntable 104, is captured againstthe base 102 by way of a nut 144 and washer 146. More particularly, thenut 144 and washer 146 are received on the threaded upper end 148 of theaxle 136 and cooperate with the collar 150 of the bushing 142 to limittravel of the bushing 142 along the axle 136. The nut 144 and washer146, in cooperation with the collar 150 of the bushing 142, limitstravel of the platter 112 along the axle 136. A suitable bearing may beused instead of the bushing 142 to further reduce friction duringrotation. Again, the recited materials are merely illustrative and notlimiting.

Preferably, the turntable 104 rides on bearings as the turntable 104rotates relative to the base 102. In the illustrated embodiment, aplurality of roller bearings 152 are received in corresponding recesses154 in the lower platter layer 126. Alternatives to the roller bearings152 may also be used. For example, a wheeled ring may be interposedbetween the base and the turntable, with the wheels riding within acircular track formed in the upper base layer and/or the lower platterlayer in a “lazy Susan” arrangement.

Of note, a plurality of circumferentially-spaced base magnets 160 arefixedly carried by the base 102 and a plurality ofcircumferentially-spaced turntable magnets 162 are fixedly carried bythe turntable 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the base magnets 160are positioned atop the base 102 on the upper surface of the upper baselayer 122 and the turntable magnets 162 are positioned on the undersideof the platter 112 on the lower surface of the lower platter layer 126.As shown in FIG. 6 , the base magnets 160 are secured to the base 102 bybolts 156 and the turntable magnets 162 are secured to the turntable 104by screws 158. Other configurations are also possible. For example, thebase magnets 160 and/or the turntable magnets 162 may be recessed withinthe base 102 and/or the turntable 104, respectively, so as to beflush-mounted, and in a recessed embodiment the base magnets 160 and/orthe turntable magnets 162 may be adhered rather than bolted/screwed.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the base magnets 160 and theturntable magnets 162 are spaced from one another. The turntable 104 hasa plurality of distinct stable rotational positions relative to the base102, in which the turntable magnets 162 interact with the base magnets160 to resist rotation of the turntable 104 relative to the base 102 outof the distinct stable rotational positions. According to one aspect ofthe disclosure, the turntable magnets 162 are in polar opposition to thebase magnets 160 and the distinct stable rotational positions of theturntable 104 relative to the base 102 are rotational positions in whichthe turntable magnets 162 are in registration with the base magnets 160and the base magnets 160 attract the turntable magnets 162. For example,the base magnets 160 may be oriented with their north poles (N) facingtoward the turntable 104 and the turntable magnets 162 may be orientedwith their south poles (S) facing toward the base 102 such that theturntable magnets 162 are in polar opposition to the base magnets 160.Thus, the base magnets 160 have their north poles (N) facing the southpoles (S) of the turntable magnets 162. Alternatively, the respectiveorientations may be reversed such that the base magnets 160 have theirsouth poles (S) facing the north poles (N) of the turntable magnets 162.

In such embodiments, when the turntable magnets 162 are in registrationwith the base magnets 160, magnetic attraction between the turntablemagnets 162 and the oppositely oriented base magnets 160 will resistrotation of the turntable 104 relative to the base 102. Therefore, theturntable 104 may be maintained in one of the distinct stable rotationalpositions when the turntable magnets 162 and the oppositely orientedbase magnets 160 are in registration. A user may rotate the turntable104 relative to the base 102 by applying sufficient mechanical force(torque) to overcome the magnetic force acting between the turntablemagnets 162 and the base magnets 160. Once the turntable 104 has rotatedmore than half the distance between the initial rotational position andthe next rotational position (in the direction of rotation), themagnetic force acting between the turntable magnets 162 and the basemagnets 160 urges the turntable 104 toward that next rotational positionrelative to the base 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are four base magnets 160 and fourturntable magnets 162, with the base magnets 160 and the turntablemagnets 162 positioned at 90 degree intervals. In this arrangement,there will be four distinct stable rotational positions in which theturntable magnets 162 are in registration with the base magnets 160,with each rotational position being 90 degrees apart from each adjacentrotational position. This arrangement is suitable where there are fourequipment elements 110 (see FIG. 8 ). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , thesupport column 114 has four faces, with each face aligned with one ofthe four distinct stable rotational positions, so that each of thedistinct stable rotational positions will present a particular one ofthe equipment elements 110. In this embodiment, the turntable magnets162 may be in registration with the tool receptacles 106, 108.

By having more or fewer than four base magnets 160 and more or fewerthan four turntable magnets 162, the number of distinct stablerotational positions can be increased or decreased, as desired, and thenumber of faces on the support column may be increased or decreased. Thenumber of faces on the support column need not be equal to the number ofdistinct stable rotational positions; the support column optionally maynot have faces but may be cylindrical.

It is also contemplated that there may be a plurality of base magnetsand only a single turntable magnet, or a plurality of turntable magnetsand only a single base magnet. In such an embodiment, the distinctstable rotational positions are where respective ones of the pluralityof magnets are in registration with the single magnet.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A through 4C. The base magnets 160 andthe turntable magnets 162 may have a variety of radial positions,relative to the axis of rotation A of the turntable 104 relative to thebase 102 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), on the base 102 and turntable 104 solong as they are of equal radial distance from the axis A so that thebase magnets 160 and the turntable magnets 162 can magneticallyinteract. FIG. 4A shows the base magnets 160 and the turntable magnets162 relatively further from the axis A, FIG. 4C shows the base magnets160 and the turntable magnets 162 relatively closer to the axis A, andFIG. 4B shows the base magnets 160 and the turntable magnets 162positioned intermediately, relative to the positions in FIGS. 4A and 4C.The radial positions of the base magnets 160 and the turntable magnets162 will affect the amount of torque required to overcome the resistanceof the base magnets 160 and the turntable magnets 162 and rotate theturntable 104 relative to the base 102. It is contemplated that in someembodiments, the radial positions of the base magnets and the turntablemagnets may be adjustable; for example the magnets may ride withinradially extending tracks in the base and in the turntable. In such anembodiment, the radial positions of the base magnets and the turntablemagnets would be adjusted to be of equal radial distance from the axisso as to remain in registration with one another.

In another embodiment, the distinct stable rotational positions of theturntable 104 relative to the base 102 are rotational positions in whichthe turntable magnets 162 are out of registration with the base magnets160 and the base magnets 160 repel the turntable magnets 162. Forexample, the base magnets 160 may be oriented with their north poles (N)facing toward the turntable 104 and the turntable magnets 162 may alsobe oriented with their north poles (N) facing toward the base 102. Thus,the base magnets 160 have their north poles (N) facing the north poles(N) of the turntable magnets 162. Alternatively, the respectiveorientations may be reversed such that the base magnets 160 have theirsouth poles (S) facing the south poles (S) of the turntable magnets 162.In either the N-N or the S-S configurations, there are equal numbers ofthe base magnets 160 and the turntable magnets 162, each with equalcircumferential spacing. The distinct stable rotational positions occurwhere the base magnets 160 are positioned circumferentially between theturntable magnets 162 and the turntable magnets 162 are positionedcircumferentially between the base magnets 160. Repulsion between thebase magnets 160 and the turntable magnets 162 will maintain theturntable 104 in a given one of the distinct stable rotationalpositions; each of the turntable magnets 162 “hover” between adjacentpairs of the base magnets 160. More particularly, repulsion betweenadjacent pairs of base magnets 160 will trap the turntable magnets 162between the pairs of base magnets to hold the turntable 104 in position.A user may rotate the turntable 104 relative to the base 102 by applyingsufficient mechanical force (torque) to overcome the magnetic forceacting between the turntable magnets 162 and the base magnets 160.

In one preferred embodiment, the vehicle tool rack 100 further comprisesa weight driven mechanism acting between the base 102 and the turntable104 for reducing the distance between the base magnets 160 and theturntable magnets 162 as the weight of the individual equipment elements110 (FIG. 8 ) increases.

Reference is now made again to FIGS. 3A and 3B. In one illustrativeembodiment, the weight driven mechanism comprises a plurality ofcompression springs 170 disposed within the recesses 154 in the lowerplatter layer 126 and acting between the turntable 104, specifically theupper platter layer 128, and the roller bearings 152. Where the weightof the individual equipment elements 110 (FIG. 8 ) is relativelygreater, the compression springs 170 will be relatively more compressed.This results in the turntable 104 being relatively closer to the base102, and the distance between the base magnets 160 and the turntablemagnets 162 will be relatively smaller, as shown in FIG. 3A. Thisresults in relatively greater magnetic force acting between the basemagnets 160 and the turntable magnets 162. Although the base magnets 160and the turntable magnets 162 are very close together in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 3A, in the illustrated embodiment the basemagnets 160 and the turntable magnets 162 remain spaced from oneanother. Conversely, where the weight of the individual equipmentelements 110 (FIG. 8 ) is relatively smaller, the compression springs170 will be relatively compressed so that the turntable 104 isrelatively further from the base 102. This results in a relativelygreater distance between the base magnets 160 and the turntable magnets162, as shown in FIG. 3B, in turn resulting in relatively smallermagnetic force acting between the base magnets 160 and the turntablemagnets 162. Thus, as the weight of the individual equipment elements110 increases, so too does the magnetic force that resists rotation ofthe turntable 104 relative to the base 102.

The configuration shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is merely illustrative andnot limiting. For example, in another embodiment a single compressionspring may be disposed concentrically around the axle, with suitableadaptation of the bushing and related components. Moreover, a weightdriven mechanism according to the present disclosure is not limited tocompression springs or even to springs, and may include, for example,one or more piston-cylinder assemblies, or electromechanicalarrangements, for example a load cell sensor cooperating with a rack andpinion assembly. Furthermore, the weight driven mechanism need not movethe turntable closer to the base as the weight increases, but need onlymove the turntable magnets closer to the base magnets. For example, aweight driven mechanism may move the turntable magnets closer to thebase magnets even as the turntable remains at a constant distance fromthe base.

Thus, in one aspect, the present disclosure describes a method ofcarrying tools on a vehicle tool rack. A plurality of tools (equipmentelements 110) are carried on a turntable 104 that is rotatably carriedby a base 102 so as to be rotatable relative to the base 102 (see FIG. 8). Absent an external user-applied torque above a threshold sufficientto exceed the magnetic force, the turntable 104 is maintained in one ofa plurality of distinct stable rotational positions relative to the base102 by interaction of magnetic force between the base magnets 160fixedly carried by the base and the turntable magnets 162 fixedlycarried by the turntable 104. The method may further comprise decreasinga vertical distance between the turntable magnets 162 and the basemagnets 160 as the weight of the tools increases.

As noted above, with reference again to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the supportcolumn 114 extends from the platter 112, and the tool receptacles 106,108 comprise lower tool receptacles 106 disposed on the platter 112 andupper tool receptacles disposed on the support column 114. The lowertool receptacles 106 generally comprise rectangular prismaticopen-topped walls, and the upper tool receptacles 108 generally comprisereleasable tool restraints, such as straps or clamps. Thus, theequipment elements 100 may be secured on the turntable 104 by having thelower ends thereof disposed within and restrained by the lower toolreceptacles 106 and the upper ends thereof trapped within and restrainedby the upper tool receptacles 108. The tool receptacles 106, 108 aremerely illustrative and not limiting; a wide range of tool receptaclesmay be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Similarly, no limitation is implied as to the types of equipmentelements 110 that may be carried on the turntable 104; the turntable maycarry tools of any kind.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle tool rack100 could further include a releasable latching mechanism (not shown)interposed between the base 102 and the turntable 104 that is adapted tomechanically lock the turntable 104 against rotation relative to thebase 102, independent of the base magnets 160 and the turntable magnets162. Various latching mechanisms will be known to one with skill in theart. In one embodiment, the latch may be electromechanically controlledso as to be automatically disengaged when a fire engine is placed in“park” upon arrival at an emergency so as not to delay access to theequipment elements.

One or more currently preferred embodiments have been described by wayof example. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that anumber of variations and modifications can be made without departingfrom the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle tool rack for storing and accessingvarious individual equipment elements carried aboard a vehicle, thevehicle tool rack comprising: a base; a turntable rotatably carried onthe base, the turntable being rotatable relative to the base; aplurality of tool receptacles carried aboard the turntable, whereby theturntable is adapted to simultaneously receive a plurality of individualequipment elements; a plurality of circumferentially-spaced base magnetsfixedly carried by the base; and a plurality of circumferentially-spacedturntable magnets fixedly carried by the turntable; wherein the basemagnets and the turntable magnets remain spaced from one another; andwherein the turntable has a plurality of distinct stable rotationalpositions relative to the base wherein the turntable magnets interactwith the base magnets to resist rotation of the turntable relative tothe base out of the distinct stable rotational positions.
 2. The vehicletool rack of claim 1, wherein, in each of the plurality of distinctstable rotational positions of the turntable relative to the base: theturntable magnets are in registration with the base magnets; and theturntable magnets are in polar opposition to the base magnets.
 3. Thevehicle tool rack of claim 1, further comprising a weight drivenmechanism acting between the base and the turntable for reducing thedistance between the base magnets and the turntable magnets as equipmentweight increases.
 4. The vehicle tool rack of claim 3, wherein theweight driven mechanism comprises at least one compression spring. 5.The vehicle tool rack of claim 1, wherein the base magnets and theturntable magnets are located in registration with respective ones ofthe tool receptacles.
 6. The vehicle tool rack of claim 1, wherein thetool receptacles comprise a releasable tool restraint.
 7. A method ofcarrying tools on a vehicle, the method comprising: carrying a pluralityof tools on a turntable, the turntable being rotatably carried by a baseso as to be rotatable relative to the base; and absent an externaluser-applied torque above a threshold, maintaining the turntable in oneof a plurality of distinct stable rotational positions relative to thebase by interaction of magnetic force between base magnets fixedlycarried by the base and turntable magnets fixedly carried by theturntable.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising decreasing avertical distance between the turntable magnets and the base magnets asa weight of the tools increases.